Guinea talk.

[Victoria-nola]

Hi and welcome to the group. You have a nice assortment of birds and animals. If I lived in the country I would have way to many pets I'm sure.

I think you solved your question in your later post. The red light now being white. Any little change will be noticed and loudly addressed by the squalking. That is my guess I think I would try and put something red over the bulb and see how that works. Good luck.

Thank you. Yes, I resonate with animals more than people, generally. I'm so happy to finally have my spot in the world, gee took long enough, but, I'm very thankful.

I have replaced the red filter every night since, and while they are a little quieter, they are still being noisy. I think it may be the combination of things like someone else is suggesting.

 

[Victoria-nola]

Thank you. As far as I can tell, they are being more careful in the road! They have gone over to the neighbors a couple of times in the last few days, but it appears to me that they gather at one side of the road and do their arguing there, then all cross at once. That's how it's looking right now at least. I don't want to be too hopeful, but I need them to not keep getting killed. Some folks say they have long-term problems with it, which makes me worried. In any case, I am hoping for a positive learning outcome here.

Hi Victoria-Nola - welcome to the Guinea Talk thread. One thing I thought of as I was reading through what you and others posted was - I notice a difference in my flock when one is killed. It's like their whole social structure comes unglued until they can figure out the new dynamic, especially if the missing member was further up on the pecking order. If they are lower, then the flock only needs to find a new one to pick on. If it's a bird with more clout, then they fight me going back into the coop, they act like it's their first time roosting and some who were once docile, take on the role of keeping others in line. So, I'm wondering if on top of the red light turning white (which if it's too bright now, it will keep them up), all the loss they are having to work through is a part of it too. It may take them a while to get reorganized. Thanks for posting and good luck with your flock!

Hey thanks, GlennLee, for the validation and thoughts. Yes, it's probably a combination of factors and not just one thing. I mentioned above that I have put the red filter back on at night for several nights and they are still making sounds, though perhaps somewhat less so. The combination of factors makes the most sense of what's happening. Very helpful.

I love them so much! I just also want to say, some people say they are stupid, and say very mean things about them. I don't see it that way. For one thing, I think all creatures are geniuses in their own niche. If we take an animal out of its natural niche, in the case of guineas, from the the savannas of Western Africa, and then criticize them because they don't take easily to being cooped up, that seems to be a human perception problem, not a real truth. I also think that it may be true that groups of guineas who stay integral may be in better shape and able to learn as a group better than guinea groups that are constantly shifting members (say, for situations where guineas are sold from the group-- no judgment, just saying it's obvious they are really affected by goings and comings). In any case, I've heard people claim that guineas are "too stupid to get in out of the rain" but my guineas troop to their coop on and off all day when it's rainy. They totally get it.

--V

 

[Dmontgomery]

Snack time on the back porch.

 

[GlennLee]

Snack time on the back porch.

Lucky guineas! What a great set up they have there and you even serve snacks. I'm thinking about having a wine and cheese party down in the barn this New Year's Eve.

Or maybe a popcorn and movie night.

I love them so much! I just also want to say, some people say they are stupid, and say very mean things about them. I don't see it that way. For one thing, I think all creatures are geniuses in their own niche. If we take an animal out of its natural niche, in the case of guineas, from the the savannas of Western Africa, and then criticize them because they don't take easily to being cooped up, that seems to be a human perception problem, not a real truth. I also think that it may be true that groups of guineas who stay integral may be in better shape and able to learn as a group better than guinea groups that are constantly shifting members (say, for situations where guineas are sold from the group-- no judgment, just saying it's obvious they are really affected by goings and comings). In any case, I've heard people claim that guineas are "too stupid to get in out of the rain" but my guineas troop to their coop on and off all day when it's rainy. They totally get it.

--V

You picked the right thread to post in! We all LOVE our guineas here and know that they're not stupid. You hit the nail on the head with "human perception" being the problem. It takes time and perseverance to get to know guineas and I continue to learn about them and from them. I think they are amazing birds and I find them fascinating to watch and interact with. It's fun getting to know their personalities and problem solving situations that come up because of them. They are quirky, entertaining, silly and serious - all rolled up into one bird. Gotta love 'em!

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote:

They are all those things, yes!

Sadly, my group are still finding their way after the road accident. They are constantly splintering into 2-3 groups, whereas before the deaths they were very cohesive. But in other ways the changes seem positive, like that they are hanging around inside the curtilage fence more, more dispersed within it, and interacting with the chickens and two pet pigs more as a result. I wouldn't be surprised if the pigs and chickens have expressed their condolences for their loss. Everyone was shocked that day they died.

--V

 

[pattyhen]

Snack time on the back porch.

Lovely guineas and is that a male and female? My guineas would hang out all day on that porch. Thanks so much for sharing the pics.

 

[Dmontgomery]

Everybody gets some bird seed mix as a snack during the day. I spend most of the day on the back porch and they all come up to my chair begging for treats. The 3 Guineas usually don't come all the way up to me and I end up having to toss theirs a few feet away. Yesterday they were braver so I got some up close shots of them.
After they ate and got up on the railing, Ginny (the pied one) sang for 20 solid minutes. I recorded some of her screaming opera talent, but the video won't upload.
As far as I know, we have 3 females. They all make the same 2 syllable sound.

 

[pattyhen]

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[pattyhen]

This is a pic of the guineas chickens, and some of the ducks. Everytime I think I have my phone figured out it does something different. I downloaded two pics and I don't know what happened to the second one. I'll try again but if the pics show up eventually there might be more then one of the same thing.

Ginny must like the sound of her own voice. Mine do too and they do quiet down if I say shhhh that's enough.

That is sweet Victoria that your guineas are interacting with the chickens and the pigs now. They could be excepting their condolences and see them as friends now. I know they are much smarter then anyone give them credit for. My guineas do not want to go back in the coop when it starts raining they want to come in the house and get dried off with towels.

I love my guineas too and I love sharing their stories and reading everyone elses stories about their guineas. Have a great day.

 

[fancychick1]

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Love the pics pattyhen, I see your ducks in the back what kind are they? I have Pekins.